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What is ‘copal’?

The Aztec word “copal” (Nahuatl: copalli) is used for all tree resins -old or young- that have been used as incense over the centuries.

In our days, the definition “copal” is based on the age and it is not considered amber. But basically “copal” is “young amber” and “amber” is “old copal”.

As such, copal is considered semi-fossilized resin or sub-fossil amber. In order not to offend anyone and to respect the commonly accepted rules, we want to reserve the word “amber” for ‘really’ ancient tree resins and “copal” for certain tree resins that might be more recent, even there is no clear dating. Therefore we use the term “copal” for Colombian amber.

Where is the age limit?

There is much theory and commercial interest. Some set the limit at 20 million years, others earlier.

We have no dates or specific geological information on Colombian copal – amber. Because of it’s color and hardness, many scientists believe it may be Pliocene or Pleistocene, probably about 2 to 3 million years old. In some regions it could be even up to 16 million years old, but in others much, much younger (Santander). The basic fact is that copal is softer than what is commonly known as “real amber” since it has not gone through an timely extended stage of polymerization.

Nevertheless, even if we assume that Colombian copal is only 2 to 3 million years old or younger, it still has extremely important value for those studying biodiversity, biogeography, ecology and other related subjects. Others see its use for jewelry or industrial purposes.

http://www.colombiancopal.com